Sizzling Summer Western Americana Auction (August 2021)

Auction CurrencyUSD Auction Location3555 Airway Drive Suite 309, Reno, Nevada, 89511, United States In Person PreviewPreview

Auction Details

Welcome to our August 2021 sale, the "Sizzling Summer Western Americana Auction!"

Our August sale is full of “hot stuff” across the board, and features some of the best collections in their genre offered publicly in a long time.

*The “California” Collection of Native American Jewelry*
The California Native American jewelry collection includes nearly 400 lots of fine, artistic silver and turquoise jewelry from a major collection.

The group of Native American jewelry presented by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC, is from the collection of a long time California collector. Collecting over several decades, the collection features some incredible pieces—the main part of the collection is represented by bolos from Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico. There are also necklaces, bracelets, rings, belt buckles, and brooches. Much of this jewelry collection is “museum worthy art.”

The Zuni people are famous for their inlay—both mosaic inlay and channel inlay. The Zuni petit-point and needlepoint work in stones is just as well-known. The collection focuses on pieces from c1940s-60s. Some Zuni artists represented are: Dan Simplicio, Leo Poblano, Lambert Homer Sr., the Edaakies, Frank Vacit, Dexter Cellicion, Myra Tucson, Elliot Qualo, Annie Quam Gasper, Alonzo and Helen Hustito, Velma Lesansee, Horace Ilue, and many others. Most of the jewelry made before 1970 was not hallmarked. We have named the artists of each piece whenever possible, however, some are “attributed to,” and others we were unable to identify.

Many of the artists are presented in the books by Toshio Sei, published by Schiffer. Toshio Sei began collecting Zuni jewelry in 1993 and has written several books on the various forms of Zuni jewelry. Besides presenting the artists, he has done much research and gives detailed analyses that explain connections of artists and styles, thus giving us history and meanings for the pieces of jewelry. A number of the pieces offered here are illustrated in his books.

The “California” collection also includes jewelry from the Navajo, Santo Domingo Pueblo, and the Hopi. You will find amazing pieces of jewelry from all of these Native people and will have a difficult decision deciding on those to choose for your own collections!

For Western bolo tie collectors, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, with the largest sale of its kind ever held.

*The Western Collections*
We received two major collections containing outstanding items--both for their visual appeal and historical importance.

The first centers around Arizona and Colorado ephemera (19th century photos and documents) related to major mining camps, supplemented by gorgeous oil paintings of Native American and Western scenes by Douglas Rosa. One of our favorites from this collection is a framed photo of Tombstone prostitute “Amelia” (in classic prostitute attire) with her business license.

The second Western collection includes incredible military items (highlighted below), rare Western postcards, and a fantastic library including rare firearms references.

*Militaria*
This section is phenomenal, highlighted by George Armstrong Custer’s holster and gun belt, which is accompanied by a long history. Added to this is a major collection related to the Mexican War and Pancho Villa, including a photo-diary by Arizona photographer Walter Horne. Of great interest will be the associated collections from the Prag Collection and others, rounding out a phenomenal section on the Civil War, Spanish American War, and both World Wars.

For the Firearm collector is a large library of historical books on guns, hunting and related, with some of the all-time key references. These complement a large collection of rare books. Exploration researchers will love the Arctic Exploration library and other early works on Western exploration.

*Ken Prag Collection*
Wow! There are three distinct parts of his collection in this sale: ephemera, postcards, and stocks.

First and foremost, most or all of the material is from his unsorted acquisitions for decades. We found amazing items here. Like the Bodie & Bridgeport Telegraph archive with a message about a failed robbery of the SF mint right after the earthquake!

There is a wealth of paper ephemera, particularly from California. The postcards (over 500 lots) are stunning, and among the best offered so far, with exceptionally rare views in both RPC and printed format. Large collections include California (incl. Tahoe and Yosemite) and Hawaii. Nearly every lot has great cards, and you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Pioneer cards? Hundreds of them. One of the sections we had the most fun with is the gaming section--postcards with a gaming or playing card theme. This collection is now in about 20 lots, comprised of hundreds of cards.

*Numismatics*
A large offering of foreign and US coins, medals, counters, and other exonumia. Includes a C. Bechtler Dollar; Carson City Mint morgans; a fantasy Wells Fargo & Co. Express, Goldfield Iron Strongbox; and a large selection of California and Western tokens and Good For mirrors (ex. Ron Lerch Collection).

*Other Highlights*
Stocks and Bonds: Another fantastic selection from
perhaps a dozen collections. Features rare Arizona pieces and foreign mining stocks from the Prag Collection.

Railroadiana: Another great batch of railroad passes from an incredible Western collection we have been selling over the past year and a half. Also, a rare Colorado railroad section, and a collection of Virginia & Truckee Railroad ephemera from the Prag Collection.


Auction Schedule

Day 1, Thursday, August 5th, 2021, Lots 1000-1605
*General Americana (Lots 1000-1605)
Geographic Sort (1000-1251)
World’s Fair & Expositions (1252-1286)
Gaming (1287-1311)
Bottles & Saloon (1312-1342)
Marbles & Toys (1343-1365)
Jewelry (1366-1421)
Clothing (1422-1452)
Music (1453-1465)
Miscellaneous incl. Photos, Furnishings, Ephemera (1466-1605)

Day 2, Friday, August 6th, 2021, Lots 2000-2596
*Transportation (2000-2153)
Railroad (2000-2119)
Aviation & Automobile (2120-2153)
*Philatelic (2154-2596)
Stamps & Covers (2154-2175)
Postcards (2176-2596)

Day 3, Saturday, August 7th, 2021, Lots 3000-3606
*Native Americana (3000-3387)
Jewelry (3000-3271)
Artifacts, Art, Baskets, Pottery (3272-3315)
Ephemera incl. Rare Photographs, Postcards, & Books (3316-3387)
*Military incl. Custer and Pancho Villa Collections (3388-3514)
Chronologically Sorted (Civil War, Spanish American, WWI, WWII, etc)
*Political (3515-3535)
*Firearms feat. Firearms & Weaponry Historical Books (3536-3606)

Day 4, Sunday, August 8th, 2021, Lots 4000-4606
*Cowboy & Western (4000-4040)
*Art (4041-4105)
*Mining (4106-4189)
*Stocks & Bonds (4190-4310)
*Numismatics (4311-4505)
*Tokens (4506-4606)

Day 5, Monday, August 9th, 2021, Lots 5000-5583
*General Books (5000-5072)
*Bargains & Dealer Specials (5073-5583)
General Americana (5073-5189)
Philatelic (5190-5408)
Stocks & Bonds (5409-5479)
Numismatics incl. Dies, Coins, Counters, & Tokens (5480-5583)
SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping is subject to a minimum charge of $19.00. Shipping and handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing as it is based on the size and weight of your purchase. Additional shipping and handling costs, if required, will be re-invoiced for the balance due. Items are not shipped until the invoice is completely paid. Many buyers purchase a number of lots. Every effort will be made to include all lots in a single shipping charge calculated to cover the weight and size.SHIPPING & HANDLING: Shipping and Handling cannot be estimated prior to invoicing, based on the size a...
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Oregon Street Scene RPC's (7)  [138896]2400 - Oregon Street Scene RPC's (7) [138896]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of seven real photo postcards from various towns in Oregon. Includes Burns, Bend, Coquille, Phillomath, London, Springfield, and another will ille
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******e for (60.00 + 13.20BP) = 73.20
 
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Scenic Views of Oregon Postcards (19)  [137637]2401 - Scenic Views of Oregon Postcards (19) [137637]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Includes several RPCs. General scenery and other views of Oregon. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Oregon City: Provenance: Ken Prag Collec
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 100.00
Sold to b*******e for (40.00 + 8.80BP) = 48.80
 
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Wilbur & Maupin RPC's (2)  [137644]2402 - Wilbur & Maupin RPC's (2) [137644]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two postcards, one from Grubbe & McKay General Merchandise in Wilbur Oregon, the other is W.H. Staats & Co General Merchandise with a...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Chamberlain SD Street Scene Real Photo Postcard Collection  [135143]2403 - Chamberlain SD Street Scene Real Photo Postcard Collection [135143]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three different street scenes of Chamberlain South Dakota. RPCs, unwritten. Date: Country (if not USA): State: South Dakota City: Chambe
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 60.00 - 100.00
Sold to d*******f for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Deadwood Postcard Collection  [135139]2404 - Deadwood Postcard Collection [135139]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 16 postcards of Deadwood South Dakota. Three RPCs, street scenes, Franklin Hotel, bird's eye views. Date: Country (if not USA): Stat...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to b*******n for (60.00 + 15.00BP) = 75.00
 
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Deadwood Stage Coach Postcards  [135138]2405 - Deadwood Stage Coach Postcards [135138]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of two unused split back postcards depicting stage coach scenes in Deadwood, South Dakota, 1876. One is a fully loaded coach with a team of four;
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to l******7 for (50.00 + 12.50BP) = 62.50
 
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Real Photo Postcard of "Deadwood Dick" (Richard Clarke)  [134168]2406 - Real Photo Postcard of "Deadwood Dick" (Richard Clarke) [134168]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
RPPC of "Deadwood Dick" by Black Hills Studios, Inc. He's wearing a hat with a "Days of 76" band. This is Richard Clarke, fr...
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to W*******d for (55.00 + 13.75BP) = 68.75
 
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Corn Palace Postcard Collection  [133701]2407 - Corn Palace Postcard Collection [133701]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 53 postcards from the famed Corn Palace of Mitchell South Dakota. Eight years before the turn of the 20th century -1892- when Mitchell, South
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to d*******f for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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Badlands Postcard Collection  [135136]2408 - Badlands Postcard Collection [135136]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 24 postcards, mostly RPCs, mostly 1920s. Needles Eye, tunnels, cliffs, roads, Lone Sentinel, etc. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Sout
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to b*******n for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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South Dakota Street Scene Postcard Collection  [135146]2409 - South Dakota Street Scene Postcard Collection [135146]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 15 postcards of South Dakota street scenes, mostly RPCs. Towns include: Lemmon, Bryant, Dumont, White Rock, Menno, Elkton, Ramona, Miacano, Can
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (90.00 + 22.50BP) = 112.50
 
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Mount Rushmore Postcard Collection  [133699]2410 - Mount Rushmore Postcard Collection [133699]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 50 postcards of Mount Rushmore. Mostly black and white real photo cards, including workers on the face of the rock and artist Gutzon Borglum.
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (65.00 + 16.25BP) = 81.25
 
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South Dakota Postcard Collection  [133695]2411 - South Dakota Postcard Collection [133695]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 28 vintage postcards from South Dakota. Brookings (3); Platte (5); Mitchell (9); Custer (4); Pierre (6). Date: Country (if not USA): Stat
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to 8********l.. for (85.00 + 21.25BP) = 106.25
 
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South Dakota Postcard Collection (80+)  [137756]2412 - South Dakota Postcard Collection (80+) [137756]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
About 80-100 cards from South Dakota includes: Spearfish 1877; Tyndall 1914; BlackHills; Bryant; Mundo; Deadwood; Chamerlain; Pierre; and many others
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 300.00
Sold to j*******h for (80.00 + 17.60BP) = 97.60
 
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South Dakota Postcard Collection: Street Scenes  [133704]2413 - South Dakota Postcard Collection: Street Scenes [133704]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 53 street scene postcards from South Dakota. Canistota (10); Bowdle (6); Hot Springs (10); Lemmon; Edgeley; Kimball; Arlington; Jamestown; Wes
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to j*******h for (140.00 + 30.80BP) = 170.80
 
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South Dakota Street Scene Postcard Collection  [135149]2414 - South Dakota Street Scene Postcard Collection [135149]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of 29 RPCs of South Dakota street scenes. Huron, freeman, Winner, Canton, Murdo, Madison, Hankinson, Oldham, Mt. Vernon, Watertown, Dallas, Chambe
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 200.00
Sold to d*******f for (160.00 + 40.00BP) = 200.00
 
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Ogden Area Postcard Collection  [138981]2415 - Ogden Area Postcard Collection [138981]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
50 or more from the Ogden area c1905-1912. About 5 rpcs. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Utah City: Ogden Provenance: Ken Prag Collection
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 150.00 - 300.00
Sold to l*********.. for (75.00 + 18.75BP) = 93.75
 
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Great Salt Lake Postcard Collection  [138950]2416 - Great Salt Lake Postcard Collection [138950]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of about 60 postcards from the Great Salt Lake. Six have bags of salt attached (four of them postmarked! They made it through the mail!). Others o
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 300.00
Sold to l*********.. for (30.00 + 7.50BP) = 37.50
 
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Postcard Collection Regarding Mormon History (Approx 200)  [138095]2417 - Postcard Collection Regarding Mormon History (Approx 200) [138095]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Wide selection of cards circa 1905-1960 regarding Brigham Young, The Lion House, Tabernacle, and Church. Date: Country (if not USA): State: Ut
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
Sold to l*********.. for (100.00 + 25.00BP) = 125.00
 
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Saltair Beach Bathing Resort Vintage Postcards  [135667]2418 - Saltair Beach Bathing Resort Vintage Postcards [135667]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Lot of three cards from the Saltair Beach Bathing Resort, twenty minutes from Salt Lake City on the Great Salt Lake. Hippodrome and Ship Restaurant,
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 100.00 - 150.00
Sold to d*******f for (25.00 + 6.25BP) = 31.25
 
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State of Washington Postcards (25)  [136056]2419 - State of Washington Postcards (25) [136056]
Holabird Western Americana Collections
Collection of 25 color postcards showing sites in the state of Washington, including several shots of fishing on the Columbia River. Some are used, so
Bidding Has Concluded
Estimate : 80.00 - 120.00
Sold to d*******f for (110.00 + 27.50BP) = 137.50
 
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